
Despite strong pleas, the Phoenix, the hosts, felt they should have been given a second-half penalty in a heated incident at Apollo Projects Stadium.
To Wellington’s dismay, a penalty was not given during a four-minute VAR review when Japanese veteran Kazuki Nagasawa, who had been the target of a first-half penalty request, was challenged by Mariners youngster Diesel Herrington in the 64th minute.
Scott Wootton, the stand-in Phoenix captain, told Sky Sport New Zealand of the penalty incident: “I thought they were quite similar with both really.” Wellington and Central remained in ninth and tenth place, respectively, and tied for 18 points.
“The initial one was remarkably similar. He was about to take a shot when he stumbled and fell. They seemed harsh to me not to be granted.
“I don’t think it is a penalty, but that second half, I think Nagaswa is going to be angry not to have had that one and rightly so,” stated Anna Green, a former New Zealand international and analyst for Sky Sport New Zealand. I consider that to be a daily penalty.
Jacob Spoonley, a former All Whites goalie, went on to say: “I’m going to disagree with Anna on the first half.” If it lowers the quality of the opportunity, I believe it should be granted. If we keep making that decision, we’re punishing people for continuing to play on. The referee has the last say over the contact.
However, I’m not sure what we’re going to decide with the second part. Tim Danaskos should be able to make the decision in real time, in my opinion. Herrington is caught out without making contact with the ball. I’d like to know why there was no penalty for that.
Wellington were playing in Christchurch for the first time in nine years but it was the Mariners that dictated proceedings early.

The Phoenix’s first real chance came in the 19th minute and it was Central Coast goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen who stood up tall to deny Nathan Walker.
After Nagasawa went down after a collision with Brian Kaltak, there were calls for a “Nix” penalty shortly after the half-hour mark, but those requests were dismissed.
Before halftime, Mariners star Mikael Doka unleashed a fierce long-range effort that threatened to break the impasse.
Nathan Paull tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper in the 62nd minute, but it missed Peraic-Cullen. Hideki Ishige then tried to poke the ball away from the Central Coast goalie, who rushed to collect it on the second try. It was a heart-in-mouth moment for the Mariners.
Nagasawa was engaged in another penalty appeal for the Phoenix in the 64th minute after he was taken down by a Herrington challenge, but after a VAR review, no spot-kick was awarded.
In the last twenty minutes following his arrival from Perth Glory, the Mariners gave their new recruit, the gifted youth Abdul Faisal, his debut.
Seven minutes from the end, with Phoenix supporters on the edge of their seats, the home team almost broke the tie, but Peraic-Cullen stopped Ishige’s move.